Automatic switch



(No Model.)

C. PARTINGTON.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

Patented Oct. 26, 1897.

F l (t 5 g 5 QR I N 1 E- K S m NITED STATES FFICE.

PATENT CHARLES PARTINGTON', OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR T 0 THE WEIR FROG COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 592,662, dated October 26, 1897.

A li ti fil d December 28, 1896. Serial No. 617,240. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES PARTINGTON, residing at Newport, in the county of Campbell and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Switches, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a duplex switch for point-rail crossings so constructed that both sets of points will be moved automatically by the wheels of the train when the points are set against the track on which the train is crossing, thereby opening the same for the passage of the train, so that no matter what direction the points of the crossing are set the train approaching the same on either track will automatically open the appropriate point-rails and close the opposite point-rails, so that the trainwill cross over.

The features of my invention will be more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a horizontalsection through the switch-stand and connecting-rods. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the switch-stand. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the switch-stand frame with the connectingrods omitted.

A represents the main rail of one track.

B represents the main rail of the opposite crossing track.

a I) represent one set of movable pointrails, and c d-represent the opposite movable point-rails.

O represents the frame of the switchstand.

D represents a T-link pivoted to brackets G of the frame of the switch-stand. E represents the center bolt on which the same oscillates. The inner end of said T-link is pivoted to link F. The opposite end of said the flange h of the switch-stand case, and at the opposite end they seat upon collars 'L', sustained by the head of the draw-bolts.

K L represent connecting-rods, which are pivoted to the opposite arms of the T-link at one end and to the switch-bars M N at the opposite ends. These switch-bars connect, respectively, with the opposite set of movable point-rails a b andc d. These movable pointrails are shown as connected together by the ordinary turnbuckle-strap O P.

' The mode of operation is as follows: As shown in Fig. l, a train approachingon the tracks B 0 will pass directly onto the'tracks B a, as the switches are set for the passage of the train on these rails in either direction; but if a train is to pass upon the tracks A b onto the tracks A d the flanges of the wheels will move the point-rails a b, opening the former and closing the latter, and through the connecting-rods L K will move the point-rails c d in the opposite direction.

of the rails and holding them in whichever position they are set. When the links F D are on the dead-center in the act of being thrown, the springs are compressed to their greatest extent, and as soon as said links pass the dead-center the recoil of the springs completes the throw of the two sets of switchpoint rails according to the direction of movement of the train. By using the duplex connecting-rods and T-links controlled by the spring the proper simultaneoussetting of both points is absolutely and automatically accomplished. This method of duplex pointrail switch avoids all necessity of setting the point-rails by hand, and the liability of either switch-point being moved without the other and consequent derailment of trains is entirely avoided, and I believe I am the first to accomplish these results.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. 'A duplex switch composed of the link F pivoted at one end to a movable cross-head of the switch-stand, and to a T-link which is pivoted to a fixed portion of the switchstand, and having arms on each side of said I The springs- .serve the function of completing the throw pivot for the pivotal attachment of opposing connecting-rods, substantially as specified.

2. A duplex switch composed of the link F pivoted at one end to a movable cross-head having springs to hold it normally closed, and to a T-link which is pivoted to a fixed portion of the switch-stand, and having arms on each side of said pivot for the pivotal attachment of opposing connecting-rods, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set m y h an d CHARLES PARTINGTON. Vitnesses:

W. R. Woon, OLIVER B. KAISER. 

